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Window to the Soul

Window to the Soul

Words of Faith 8-21-18

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2018

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Luke 11:33-36

   "No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. [34] Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. [35] See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. [36] Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you."

 

      As Jesus was moving toward Jerusalem, there was increasing tension. There were some who were saying that Jesus was doing miracles by the power of the devil. Others were asking for a miraculous sign. He warned that it was a wicked generation that seeks after a sign. The proper response to the Kingdom is to HEAR the word and OBEY. Then, as Jesus looked into the eyes of such a mixed crowd, He uttered these powerful words about the eye.

       The eye is a fascinating thing. These dual organs that sit protected in the front of our skull are a wonderful part of God's creation. They can be aimed in different directions so as to bring specific information about the world into us. The finely tuned cells of the eye translate the electromagnetic vibrations of light into patterns of nerve impulses that are transmitted to the brain.

       This complex process involves turning and focusing as the iris adjusts to allow the right amount of light so that the retina can detect the minute variations of shape, color, brightness, and distance. A fascinating fact is that the eye actually does not SEE. The process of seeing is performed by the brain rather than by the eye. But what the eye does in that process is vital—the eye admits light to the body.

       But the eye is so much more than just biology to us humans. The eye is a thing of beauty. Most of us can think of some eyes that are very beautiful and that we love very much. The eye is also a powerful organ of communication. Two people falling in love will look deeply into one another's eyes. No words are necessary.

       Studies have shown that only about 7% of communication is sent or received through words and language. 93% of communication between people is nonverbal-- gestures, facial expressions and tones of voice-- and a good deal of that is eye communication.

       We call a person "bright-eyed" and we often talk about how the eyes of a child were shining on Christmas day. Many times the words "thank you", "I love you," or "I am hurt" are not necessary at all because such things are communicated with the eyes. How many times have you spoken with someone who said they were "fine" but you knew from the "look in their eyes" that they were very troubled?

       Some experts can even detect when a person is lying by watching the eyes. The eyes are the one part of the body most difficult to control. That is probably why some say that the eyes are the window to the soul.

       As Jesus ministered he looked into the eyes of thousands of people and He surely saw many longing for salvation, hope, healing, and relief. But he also looked into the eyes of many who were apathetic or skeptical, or hungry for a miraculous sign. There were eyes that were cynical and hard-hearted, those of religious people who were plotting even now a way to get rid of Jesus. Even among the eyes of the disciples closest to Him He could see betrayal that would come, the denial and the doubt.

       So Jesus spoke about the very eyes into which he looked, some glazed over with hatred and others taken by sin. He told those listening that they have a responsibility to SHINE. "No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body."

       Your eyes are a LAMP that brings light in and shines light out. There may be times when you cannot speak of the Kingdom with your words but nothing can stop the shining light that is in your eyes! Our eyes are a lamp for the world to see the light of Jesus. Have you ever met someone and knew immediately that Jesus lived in them?

       Or perhaps you have watched as someone was transformed-- born again-- and there was a visible change in that person. While you may see many changes one that is often unmistakable is the eyes. There is light. There is love. There is mercy. There is hope. There is joy. There is peace. David wrote in Psalm 19:8: The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

     So Jesus gave this advisory. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you.

       Jesus declared: "I am the Light of the world" (Jn. 8:12). We know that we cannot create light within ourselves but we can receive the light. We are responsible for our EYES.   Jesus was not talking so much about the physical eye as the eyes of our mind and spirit but we do direct our eyes to look at certain things. If you are going to reflect spiritual light you must receive spiritual light.

     The Psalmist wrote: I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven (123:1).

     My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare (25:15).

     Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law (119:18).

     The writer of the book of Hebrews calls us to find light when we fix our eyes on Jesus. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1).

       How are your eyes? When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light.

 

       Father, help me to keep my eyes set upon Jesus. Open my eyes to Your light and love. I set my eyes upon You. Fill me with Your light. In Jesus' name.